Issue 5, 2016

Cryomilling for the fabrication of doxorubicin-containing silica-nanoparticle/polycaprolactone nanocomposite films

Abstract

Bionanocomposites need to have a homogeneous distribution of nanomaterials in the polymeric matrix to achieve consistent mechanical and biological functions. However, a significant challenge lies in achieving the homogeneous distribution of nanomaterials, particularly through a solvent-free approach. This report introduces a technology to address this need. Specifically, cryomilling, a solvent-free, low-temperature processing method, was applied to generate a bionanocomposite film with well-dispersed nanoparticles. As a proof-of-concept, polycaprolactone (PCL) and doxorubicin-containing silica nanoparticles (Si-Dox) were processed through cryomilling and subsequently heat pressed to form the PCL/Si-Dox (cPCL/Si-Dox) film. Homogeneous distribution of Si-Dox was observed under both confocal imaging and atomic force microscopy imaging. The mechanical properties of cPCL/Si-Dox were comparable to those of the pure PCL film. Subsequent in vitro release profiles suggested that sustained release of Dox from the cPCL/Si-Dox film was achievable over 50 days. When human cervical cancer cells were seeded directly on these films, uptake of Dox was observed as early as day 1 and significant inhibition of cell growth was recorded on day 5.

Graphical abstract: Cryomilling for the fabrication of doxorubicin-containing silica-nanoparticle/polycaprolactone nanocomposite films

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
20 Oct 2015
Accepted
08 Jan 2016
First published
08 Jan 2016

Nanoscale, 2016,8, 2568-2574

Cryomilling for the fabrication of doxorubicin-containing silica-nanoparticle/polycaprolactone nanocomposite films

Y. Gao, J. Lim, Y. Han, L. Wang, M. S. K. Chong, S. Teoh and C. Xu, Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 2568 DOI: 10.1039/C5NR07287E

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